GOD IS GOOD - ALWAYS

 "Why trust God when he tortured Job, just to win a bet with Satan?"

Someone asked me this question a few weeks ago and I had to try to find an answer. For him, but also for myself.

The problem with finding a satisfying answer to the problem of suffering is that we are trying to figure out who God is by our own human standards of what is good and just.  

I am a follower of Jesus and I have objections and questions especially when it comes to suffering. For some of these unanswered questions that bother me as a mere human being, I will eventually find an answer, but for many other unanswered questions, I won't.  
I have to come to terms with the humbling truth that my knowledge is limited, and admit that "I don't know God, and I'm never going to figure Him out" - at least not in this life.

But here comes the thing that is beyond human understanding - Faith.

When I sum up what God has done, and what he is doing for humanity, I can only come up with the stereotypical Christian phrase: "God is good - always". Because He provided a way out of this present darkness, by suffering Himself.   This, of course, is not satisfying to those who seek to answer the never-ending questions of *why*.

The bottom line is that this life is nothing compared to what comes next for those who have found God, or rather Jesus. This life is a breath, a blip in the grand scheme of eternity. It is over as soon as it begins.  Should we risk waiting to find out if what is written, prophesied, and promised in the Word of God is true, or should we live with the hope, assurance, and joy that there is indeed an eternal life of bliss waiting for those who have walked in God's way?

There is a reason why the book of Job is in the Bible.  It tells us that we will suffer greatly in this life, emotionally and physically, but that God will restore and heal.

The inspired men who wrote the Bible weren't stupid, otherwise they would have removed all the parts that would cause objections, questions, and doubts. But questions and doubts are necessary to find answers, even if the answer is simply to trust in God (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Despite my lack of understanding of God and my many unanswered questions, I still say, "God is good - always".

A SAD GENERATION

This is a generation that cannot deal with the past and therefore cannot see a future.

A generation that claims to live in the moment, but hates the moment it lives in.

A generation misinformed about itself and its human depravity.

A generation that has never understood the power of overcoming and moving forward.

A generation that is now being forced to open its eyes to a terrible reality and its inept efforts to change the world.

A generation that will repeat history because they weren't taught to learn from it.

 

Yet - 

this is also a generation that craves authenticity and despises hollow clichés.

A generation fierce in its convictions, yet fragile with deep sensitivity, 

haunted by a profound sadness.

And still - 

a choice remains:
to turn bitterness into wisdom,
brokenness into humility,
longing into truth.

And in that truth, 

rests the seed of a hope that never fades -
a hope that reaches out and touches
the hand of something greater than themselves.

I BELIEVE IN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

Someone told me that as a former Christian whose faith has waned over the years, he now believes in empirical evidence and sound logic rather than "myths" and "wishful thinking".

When I hear such statements, I always doubt the person's claim to have been a Christian at all.  The definition of being a Christian is very narrow and doesn't leave room for interpretation.

First, it is important to distinguish between being "a Christian" and being "a Jesus follower", which can be two completely different things. The latter usually has occasional doubts, which is a normal part of being human, but in the end, their faith is unshakable.

On the other hand many honest "Christians" might write touching sermons or songs, devote themselves to church, do good deeds, and so on, but they may never have experienced the faith that comes from the hope of eternal life that Jesus promised. A faith "in Jesus" that not only hopes for the good things he can give me in this world, but also anticipates the suffering he allows, and despite the prospect of suffering, finds joy in my walk with him. A faith that doesn't need all the answers the world tries to find.  A faith no matter what. (Hebrews 11:1)

When that faith is not there, it's easy to walk away and side with "empirical logic," which seems convincing but has even fewer answers to our existence than faith can give.

If you ask such Christians if they think they will go to heaven, you usually get the answer "I hope so" rather than "absolutely". 

Faith is not dependent on empiricism, it is dependent on Jesus. (Romans 10:17)

SEARCHING - AND YET ALREADY FOUND

Lately, I’ve been looking back at my very first attempts to find God, and I had questions about why an unsaved sinner could be "in the presence of God."

I wondered why God would even reach out to someone like me—a lost being trying to figure out who God was or if He even existed at all. But maybe, the fact that I was searching for Him made Him want me to find Him even more  (which may not be perfectly theological, but it’s close)—Jeremiah 29:13.

And so now, as a born again believer, I find myself asking God why I could be important enough for Him to notice me, even when I was so unworthy, rebellious and far away from Him.

Then, in my spirit, I heard God say these words to me:
"Sin doesn’t surprise Me. I’m the One who let you live in it—but I’m also the One who loves you too much to just let you die in it." (Romans 3:23–24)

Looking back, I’m grateful that God didn’t wait for me to be "perfect" or have all the answers. He met me right where I was, in my questions and my doubts. And if He’s willing to do that for me, I believe He wants to meet anyone who’s searching—even if you’re still unsure or feel unworthy. That’s the kind of love and grace that changed my life, and it’s available to all of us.

If you’re on that journey too, keep looking—He’s closer than you think.

INTO THE HEART Of GOD

Ever since my wife died a few months ago, I feel like I tripped, and fell into the heart of God.
He is comfort in a seemingly never ending discomfort.
He is there with me just as He promised to be.
Not to prevent all of my calamities, but to carry me through them.
I love You Lord!

PEACE

Have you ever experienced the peace that comes from Jesus?

A peace that surpasses all understanding?  Philippians 4:7

Peace from the man who claims to be God, the person that says before Abraham was even born - I Am!   John 8:58

What is he saying?

He is saying that He was always there, even before the world began. 

He is saying: 'I am God, and I give you peace!'  John 14:27

                         Take it!